15 Best Things to Do in Selma (AL)

Selma, Alabama has been inhabited for centuries, with Native Americans, European and American settlers all staking their claims in the city.

But Selma is perhaps best known for its involvement in the American Civil Rights Movement.

Prior to the movement, African-Americans in Alabama were denied the right to vote, and this came to a head in 1965 when citizens led by Martin Luther King Jr, marched to Montgomery, the state capital, to press for voting rights.

Today, Selma is still defined by its right for equality, with museums, churches, bridges and routes dedicated to this monumental time in American history.

Visitors can walk trails, explore historic sites and discover the fascinating heritage of this great Alabama city.

1. Edmund Pettus Bridge

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Edmund Pettus Bridge

Located in the heart of Selma, Edmund Pettus Bridge spans the Alabama River.

The bridge was the site of the Bloody Sunday conflict in 1965, when armed police attacked Civil Rights Activists as they attempted their march to Montgomery to ask for equal voting rights.

Their mission was temporarily thwarted, but activists did not give up, and later in the same month they successfully crossed the bridge led by Martin Luther King Jr. and arrived at Montgomery’s Capitol Building.

2. National Voting Rights Museum

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National Voting Rights Museum

The National Voting Rights Museum, close to Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma chronicles the historic journey thousands of African-Americans made for the right to vote.

From democratic speeches by the Founding Fathers, to struggles incurred during the Civil Rights Movement, this museum displays it all.

With an abundance of exhibits and artefacts relating to ‘Bloody Sunday’ and the Selma to Montgomery March, it’s a superb place to spend a few hours and learn more about this fascinating era in world history.

5. Selma to Montgomery Scenic Drive

Thanks to the 2014 Hollywood Blockbuster movie – Selma, many more visitors are now aware of the historic 1965 Selma to Montgomery march.

Most people don’t walk the trail today, but the great news is, you can still drive it! The trail begins at Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma and weaves its way across Edmund Pettus Bridge and the Alabama River.

Once outside the city, the route takes you through White Hall and Lowndesboro until you reach the Capitol Building in Montgomery.

The scenery is picturesque, with verdant trees and greenery along the way and historical markers which display information.

Stop off at Lowndesboro Interpretive Centre mid-way into the journey to discover Civil Rights exhibits, Tent City, and information relating to the arduous journey from people who walked it.

6. Old Cahawba Archaeological Park

When you look at it today, it’s hard to believe that Cahawba once was Alabama’s state capital.

This former thriving river community became a ghost town following the American Civil War.

Today, it stands as an important archaeological site for visitors to discover.

The park’s grounds are filled with historic buildings, wooden cabins and a beautiful ancient Episcopal church.

You can take a self-guided walking tour through haunted relics, along paths and nature trails, plus the local Visitor’s Centre will help you along with a ton of information so you can interpret what you see.

Although many of the buildings are covered in Spanish moss and greenery, the park is a must-see for anyone interested in local history.

8. Old Live Oak Cemetery

Also forming part of the new cemetery, Old Live Oak is an area of historical interest in the Alabama city of Selma.

Founded in 1829, the cemetery is the resting place for many governmental figures and representatives of the state, including Edmund Winston Pettus and William Rufus King, who was Vice-President of the United States for six weeks in 1853. There’s history from the Civil War here, as it’s the burial ground for many Confederate Soldiers.

The graveyard is surrounded by trees draped with Spanish Moss, and the Gothic-designed stones give it an almost eerie vibe.

If you’re a fan of visiting cemeteries, you won’t want to miss this one.

9. Museum of Slavery and Civil Rights

The interactive museum allows visitors to truly experience what it was like to be a slave shipped from Africa to Alabama on-board a ship.

This tour is not for the faint-hearted, as it openly tells stories about how slaves were treated in America, followed by triumphs and achievements of those descended from them.

This intriguing museum also showcases a whole host of exhibits with artefacts, short films and displays relating to the Civil Rights Movement.

10. Old Depot Museum

The museum documents local history throughout several time periods, ranging from the American Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement to the present day.

In the museum you can see rare local artefacts such as fire trucks and medical instruments, different styles of clothing, and if you venture outside into the back yard, there’s even a ‘caboose’ or old railway wagon to explore.

13. Old Town Historic District

The old town of Selma is the largest historic district of Alabama, with abundant structures listed on the National Historic Register.

The 323-acre area has buildings and residential homes which date back to the early 1800s.

One such neighbourhood is Fairoaks Square, which contains 12 Victorian restored cottages which were originally built between 1870 and 1920. These pretty cottages display architecture pertaining to Carpenter Gothic, Greek Revival and Italianate periods, and many of the buildings still retain their original features.

Structures of significant interest in Old Town Historic District include Sturdivant Hall, Weaver Castle and the Mabry-Jones House.